On line auctions

[Riverrose28]

I have been trying to keep up with the on line auctions, and it seems to me that they are not going over very well. I know it is a buyers market and not to many new people are in the buying mood, except for the pet people. Do any of you guys out there wonder as I do when the market will pick up? Do you think it will be in the next year or maybe two years or ever for that matter. Every thing is stangnet here on the east coast, how is it in your area?

 

[kaykay]

I just sold one and getting lots of inquiries again which usually happens right after cold weather breaks. I have seen bunches selling for friends of mine too. Spring is always a good shopping season. I think this year will be good and next year even better.

I think online auctions are more of a marketing tool. I know many of the horses sell after the auction is over so its a good way to promote and get people looking at your horses.

I dont though like how some of them are done but thats just me. (reserves, prices changing etc)

 

[StarRidgeAcres]

I agree with Kay that spring is the time when sales pick up. I sold my last two for 2010 in November and didn't sell another one until recently (she doesn't leave for her new home until Friday) and the inquiries are picking up. I think it's just natural for people to stop shopping during the harsh winter months. As for the online auctions, I think you have to look at each one individually and not make any blanket statements about them. From one to the next, they can really be different - different quality horses, different presentation, less or more advertising, the specific market the auction is geared toward, etc. You also have to condiser the farm and its reputation. A farm with a great reputation is going to get more buyers and interest. If it's a farm that has a poor reputation, it doesn't matter how low you price the opening bid, nobody will want to do business with you. The horse business is just like any other. Marketing, customer service, quality of product, price...they all play a factor.

I think you will pleasantly surprised as we get more into spring! Hang in there everybody!

 

[Charley]

I can only speak for The Little Horse Barn when I say that sales are picking up. We had seven or eight horses listed in February and had two of them sell on the auction. I would like to add that we have gone as close to free of fees as we can. Both horses that sold in February did with no fees due the auction by either the seller or buyer. We also sold a number of show clothing items and magazines during the month.

 

[StarRidgeAcres]

I can only speak for The Little Horse Barn when I say that sales are picking up. We had seven or eight horses listed in February and had two of them sell on the auction. I would like to add that we have gone as close to free of fees as we can. Both horses that sold in February did with no fees due the auction by either the seller or buyer. We also sold a number of show clothing items and magazines during the month.

That is great news! We need more reminders that we have this inexpensive marketing tool available to us.

 

[Katiean]

I am thinking that if the gas prices keep going the way they are I will be driving my horses instead of my truck. No really, I have not even thought of selling any of mine because of the market. Hay prices have gone up and that makes it hard to even keep the 4 I have. However, I am not going to give them away. If it comes down to not being able to feed I will place them. But not until then.

 

[sfmini]

So Kay, where are they advertising? I need to do a severe cutback with our 'dear' gov. making changes that will reduce my income severely.

Won't do Craig's list again, had a crazy lie to me about a filly that I GAVE to her and is now fundraising for a 'sanctuary' using a made up story about her.

We are researching how to get that reported, but in the meantime, never again on Craig's list!!!!

 

[StarRidgeAcres]

So Kay, where are they advertising? I need to do a severe cutback with our 'dear' gov. making changes that will reduce my income severely.

Won't do Craig's list again, had a crazy lie to me about a filly that I GAVE to her and is now fundraising for a 'sanctuary' using a made up story about her.

We are researching how to get that reported, but in the meantime, never again on Craig's list!!!!

I realized you asked Kay, but some places I find that bring traffic/inquiries are equinenow, horsetopia, yahoo groups specifically for sales, your own website and the sale board here.

 

[Reble]

I have been trying to keep up with the on line auctions, and it seems to me that they are not going over very well. I know it is a buyers market and not to many new people are in the buying mood, except for the pet people. Do any of you guys out there wonder as I do when the market will pick up? Do you think it will be in the next year or maybe two years or ever for that matter. Every thing is stangnet here on the east coast, how is it in your area?

Yes, I believe it is happening this year, seeing the puppy prices have gone up, and as we all know cutting down on puppy mills has helped, so I am hoping the horse market will also change being less horses being bred.

The only thing I find, is we have to bring our prices back down to reality.

Good Luck with sales and foaling this year.

 

[kaykay]

So Kay, where are they advertising?

My advice is put ads every where you can! Hit all the free saleboards etc.

I rarely if ever advertise on Craigslist because all you get is scammers or tire kickers lol

Okay here is my other tip. I have been saying this for years but rarely does anyone listen.

Make sure you website CODES are up to date. Make sure you have CONTENT on your website. Make sure you type keywords in your site content.

Your meta description on your site is now VERY important. I would say even more important than meta keywords. (but of course it should include keywords)

What you type on the front page of your site is what Google looks at and decides if they want to index you etc.

Too many have zero information on the home page of their site.

The last horse I sold (2 weeks ago) was from someone typing in "ohio pony for sale" And my websie popped right up.

Remember rarely is anyone going to type in your farm name because they probably do not know it.

You have to think like a search engine! This will get traffic to your site.

And promote promote. Get your website link everywhere you can get it!

Okay I could go on for hours but I would bore ya all LOL

Kay

 

[StarRidgeAcres]

You have to think like a search engine! This will get traffic to your site.

EXCELLENT advice